Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
ConfuciusRead
The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A wise person remains vigilant and aware of potential risks, even in times of comfort.
This quote by Confucius emphasizes the importance of being mindful of possible dangers and challenges, even when one is in a safe or comfortable situation. It suggests that true wisdom and superiority come from an awareness that complacency can lead to vulnerability and challenges can arise unexpectedly, encouraging proactive thinking and preparedness.
Themes
WisdomSafetyVigilancePreparednessDanger
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting, when discussing how to handle future challenges, one might quote this to stress the importance of being prepared.
More from Confucius
All quotes βEarnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
ConfuciusRead
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
ConfuciusRead
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
ConfuciusRead
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
ConfuciusRead
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
ConfuciusRead
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